Officially Hitched: Ceremony Details

You know, it's amazing how much goes into the details of the day. The amount of phone calls and emails and research - the saved photos of inspiration ideas, the notes spread throughout the house...and yet, it never quite prepares you for what you see on that day. The way it all comes together - you know in your head what you want to see but it really never seems as though it will ever come to be.

And then, the day arrives.


And the details all fall into place...the world around you becomes fuzzy and that day is all that exists.




















The details are in place...looks like it's time to get Officially Hitched! Don't worry, you're invited.

What kinds of details are you working on for your big day?

Officially Hitched: Love Letters

After taking in the moment and enjoying our first look, my husband-to-be took my hand and led me to a beautiful, secluded area to share our love letters that we had written to each other.

Watch your step...

I can't even tell you how special this moment was. To look into one another's eyes and share our deepest feelings and emotions...it's impossible to describe how much that meant to each of us. Words you know the person you love feels for you but words that probably aren't said often or sometimes ever, in that way.














The things he said to me, the words he chose, I'll never forget the emotions that flooded over me and how grateful I was to have found him and to be moments away from calling him my husband. To be moments away from spending the rest of our lives together.

Are you sharing love letters or writing your own vows?

Officially Hitched: First Look

Now that my dress was on and my sash (thanks Mom!) was secure, it was time to see my groom.

Hello Handsome!

Luckily our photographers were seasoned veterans and walked us through this whole sneaky surprise. Frogger waited patiently while I mastered the art of being quiet...let me tell you, not a natural trait for me. Ahem.

Mr. Nervous Serious

Surprise!

What do you think?

I'm pretty sure at this moment I was thinking - can this day possibly get any better? Boy was I in for a ride...best.day.ever.

For those who are on the fence with a first look, I'll throw in my two cents. For us, it was by far one of the best decisions we made. Not only did it ease our nerves to see one another and provide a special moment that we could share on our own, it really helped the flow of the day. We were able to take the majority of the "required" photos prior to the ceremony, allowing for after-ceremony shots to be with our families and a few of the two of us in different spots throughout the grounds.

Obviously it's not for everybody and there are advantages to both ways of handling it but for us...it couldn't have been more perfect. You'll see another reason why in the next post. Yes, I'm a tease, I own it.

Do you plan on having a first look before your ceremony?

Frogs in Brides Magazine!

We interrupt these recaps for a breaking news brief...

Anyone recognize this magazine? Yep...that's the October 2011 issue of Brides Magazine!

Let's press the rewind button for a moment, shall we?

Shortly after our wedding last summer, I saw a query from Brides Magazine calling for brides to submit a quote about a song that was a "must play" at their wedding reception. This immediately struck a chord with me because our group of friends has a tradition with one specific song that is played at every wedding. When this song comes on, we all circle around the bride and groom...and then, we sing along at the top of our lungs. It's quite a sight (*hint - you'll be seeing this fabulous display of insanity when I get to that part of the recaps). Needless to say, I had to at least give it a shot and submit.

I was SHOCKED that we were one of the couples chosen! They asked for a selection of photos and that was that. I then waited MONTHS for this issue to finally come out...and behold, here it is! Eeeep!


Let's go in for a close-up...


Sorry it's so grainy...but you get the idea. :) I just had to share this with all of you since I know the hive understands how much fun this is!

Do you have a "must play" song for your reception?

Officially Hitched: Pretty White Dress

So as much as I enjoyed wearing my comfy LOVE t-shirt and yoga pants...it was definitely time to step into that gorgeous white dress that had been waiting for me for weeks. Yes...WEEKS. Side story - because I got my dress in NYC, I had to fly there for my fittings three weeks before the wedding and then cross my fingers, hope and pray, and wish upon a shooting star that I didn't gain or lose an ounce for those three weeks. No sweat, right? Not like I have any pressure or nerves during that time...easy peasy.

What do you mean I look nervous?

And looking at the photo above makes me laugh because remember how I went to NYC to get my dress? Well...I flew that baby back with me to Arizona (the airline loved me for that)....and carried it through two airports including the security line. It just so happened that while going through security at JFK, I had a celeb run-in.

source

Jay Mohr was in line right behind me and laughed as I struggled to put my dress through the x-ray machine. We had a brief conversation and I left with his blessing on my impending nuptials...score! I then kept my white mistress hidden away in our house until it was time to fly to Seattle for the wedding...are we sensing a trend?

By this point (in the photo above) I was very much done with holding up that hanger...but boy did it make for a great arm workout. Take note, future brides. Holding up wedding dress in various locales = buff arms.

Digress much? Wow. Okay let's get me dressed already!

Suck in...please fit, please fit, please fit

Riddle me this...how many bridesmaids does it take to put on a wedding dress?

So bossy...

Finishing touches

All smiles!

Next up - I finally get to see Frogger...

PS - did you see the cameo of Mrs. Tiramisu's bracelet? I count myself very lucky to be the 5th Bee to wear it, I was thrilled to have it as my "something borrowed."

Officially Hitched: Boudoir gift

So - in case you didn't read my last post, I left off as I was about to discuss my gift for my husband-to-be.

Being incredibly modest, this gift was a pretty big leap for me. And it's thanks to Weddingbee that I even knew what a boudoir session was!

Ha - right...

My first step was finding out if my photographer would be able to do this for me. There was no mention of it in her service list...luckily, she was willing to give it a shot. On one hand, being the guinea pig was exciting because we were able to make up the rules as we went along. On the other hand, it was a bit intimidating since there was no example to follow and well, I'd be in my skivvies.

After a long conversation with my photographer, I was feeling better about the whole idea. We talked about different things I could wear that would create the sexy vibe without giving away the farm (don't I know how to take the sexy out of that statement?). I wouldn't say I was at ease necessarily although definitely feeling more comfortable. But (there's always a but)...she made a point to mention that it would be a very good idea to have my makeup done professionally for the shoot.

Say what?!

This was news I was not expecting. Now, don't get me wrong - if I could have someone else do my makeup professionally everyday before I left the house, I'd be happy as a clam but in this case, I hadn't really budgeted for this detail. Enter the incredibly talented Susie Chhuor!

I found Susie and not only was she super accommodating - squeezing me in during a time when she was moving to a new studio space - but she was friendly and very warm. She was just the person I needed to help me feel my best before this incredibly awkward experience I was going to put myself through. And let me just say...the girl works miracles. I have NEVER looked better. If I had been able to, I would have flown her to my wedding site - she was THAT good.

Now I know you all want to see the finished product...and as I said earlier, I'm pretty modest. But (see, there's that but again), I also understand how important photos are. So because I just love this hive, I'm going to share a few. Friends and family - can you please look away? I feel awkward thinking about all of you seeing these. Speaking of, is that strange that I would rather have people I've never met see this photos instead of people I know well? In my head that is a perfectly normal thought...yes, I realize that makes me weird.

Okay - you've waited long enough...here you go - deep breath...

Oh and did I mention that Susie did my hair too? Seriously, this girl is amazing!

And breezing past the awkward feelings that have creeped in around me, I'm going to cut right to Frogger opening his gift. *Images blurred for my sanity.






Do you think he liked it? Yeah, me too.

Are you planning to do a boudoir session for your groom? Are you as embarrassed as I am, having posted photos like these on the internets?

Officially Hitched: Getting Ready

Waking up on the morning of your wedding day is pretty surreal. The idea that you are actually getting married, that after the months and months of planning, the day has finally arrived...it's just incredibly emotional - in the best possible way.

Hello lovely! PS - did you see the cameo of my DIY hanger?

Being that everyone was visiting from out of town, we had rented houses and condos for everyone to stay in. To start my day, I headed over to my Mom's house so my Aunt (also known as the hair miracle worker) could do my 'do. The woman has a way with hair and considering it's her career, I felt extremely confident (and very lucky) having her tackle my tresses...even though we didn't do any sort of trial-run. Now THAT my friends, is trust.

Pre-makeup...clearly I'm having a brave moment as I post this for the world to see.

After my hair was just right, we piled into the cars and headed over to the Manor to finish getting ready before the boys arrived.

And just as I was putting on the final touches to my makeup...in walked my photographer with a gift from Frogger. As you may remember, I mentioned that he and I really enjoy cooking and creating recipes. I just adore his accompanying drawings.

As I sat there trying to guess what it might be, I couldn't believe my eyes as I opened the package. I was overwhelmed by the gift he created - he managed to sneak out with our little notebook filled with our delicious creations, took those treasured pages and made a cookbook complete with a bookmark engraved with my new initials. Aaaand cue makeup meltdown...






Meanwhile...Frogger was busy opening his gift from me. That requires a post all its own!

Are you planning to exchange gifts on your wedding day? Anyone else experience a makeup meltdown?